Super League: St Helens' Kyle Amor dreams of Grand Final centre stage

Kyle Amor is hoping to complete his fairytale journey from Grand Final by-stander to the centre stage when St Helens take on Catalan Dragons in their playoff semi-final on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Cumbria forward was a non-playing squad member when Leeds beat Saints in the 2009 Grand Final and admits the experience whetted his appetite for the big time.

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Frustrated at a lack of opportunities at Headingley, Amor enhanced his career in a three-year spell at neighbours Wakefield but jumped at the chance of a move to Langtree Park last winter and has not looked back.

"It's why you come to a big club," said the 6'2" forward, who scored his first playoff try in St Helens' 41-0 qualifying win over Castleford a fortnight ago.

"You want to play as high as you possibly can and I can't wait to go on Thursday because, if we do the job right, it's a Grand Final and that's something you dream about.

"I was lucky enough to have a playoff game with Wakefield when we played Leeds but, other than that and the Castleford game, it's all new water to me.

"I went to Old Trafford with Leeds as a fringe player for the 2009 final when they played Saints and 2010 as well but I only played three games so I didn't contribute in any way whatsoever.

"You are almost like another pair of eyes in the dressing room and you see how happy the players are and what it means. Obviously I was delighted for them but I kept in my head that I wanted a piece of that. Hopefully it's not too far away."

Impact

Amor, named in the squad for Thursday's match at Langtree Park, is hoping to play a central role after making an impact in his 17 games for the Saints since joining the club in September last year.

You want to play as high as you possibly can and I can't wait to go on Thursday because, if we do the job right, it's a Grand Final and that's something you dream about.

Another player with eyes on a maiden Grand Final is the Catalans' Australian scrum-half Sam Williams, who will be making only his 12th Super League appearance on Thursday night.

Williams joined the Dragons on a short-term contract in June with a view to securing a longer deal but the impending arrival of Todd Carney in the south of France closed the door on that option.

Instead, the 23-year-old will return to his old Canberra club and would love to include a Super League ring in his luggage.

"I came over here with an open mind," said Williams, who has played a key role in Catalan's surprise playoff victories over Leeds and Huddersfield.

"At 23 I still wanted an opportunity in the NRL and Canberra came in with an offer. But I would have been happy to stay here as well.

"It would be sensational to go back with a Grand Final appearance. It's been a pretty exciting few months and I hope this is another step towards the Grand Final."

Watch St Helens play the Catalan Dragons in the Super League playoff semi-finals live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm on Thursday.